Beverage bottle filling plant with a beverage bottle labeling machine, and a cutting arrangement for a beverage bottle labeling machine

ABSTRACT

A cutting device and method for operating a cutting device. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

CONTINUING APPLICATION DATA

This application is a Continuation-In-Part application of InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/EP2008/009757, filed on Nov. 18, 2008, whichclaims priority from Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No.10 2007 057 409.8, filed on Nov. 27, 2007. International PatentApplication No. PCT/EP2008/009757 was pending as of the filing date ofthis application. The United States was an elected state inInternational Patent Application No. PCT/EP2008/009757.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present application relates to a cutting device, for example acutting device of a labeling machine. The cutting device having amachine element that is driven in a rotating manner about a machineaxis. The cutting device also comprises at least one first blade elementthat forms a first cutting edge and is provided at the machine element.The first blade element, when the machine element is rotating, mayinteract with a second cutting edge of at least a second blade elementand forming a cutting gap. The first blade element or the second bladeelement, at least in the region of its cutting edge, has a hardness thatis greater than the hardness of the second blade element or of the firstblade element. The cutting edge at the blade element with the lesserhardness is created by material removal with the cutting edge of theblade element that is designed to be harder at least at this cuttingedge.

2. Background Information

Background information is for informational purposes only and does notnecessarily admit that subsequently mentioned information andpublications are prior art.

The labeling of packaging, for example for bottles or for othercontainers, is effected in many cases using a web-shaped or strip-shapedlabel material, which is drawn off a roll in a labeling machine(labeling unit), the individual labels to be applied to the packaging tobe labeled being separated, among other things, from the label materialby means of cutting. This cutting is normally effected in a cuttingstation or cutting device which, for example, is then a component of thelabeling unit and essentially comprises at least one first blade orblade element which is provided on a rotating machine element and formsat least one cutting edge, said first blade element interacting for thecutting procedure with the cutting edge of a counter blade or secondblade element. The second blade element, in this case, is provided so asnot to rotate with the machine element in such a manner, for example,that a cutting gap is formed between the blade elements for cutting,through which cutting gap the label material is guided and in which theseparating of the labels from the label material is effected. During thecutting process, the two cutting edges forming the cutting gap arepositioned in such a manner that, lying directly opposite one another,they do not quite contact each other so that, for example, the width ofthe cutting gap is practically zero.

It may be desired for the cutting gap to be considerably smaller thanthe thickness of the web-shaped label material over the entire length ofthe cutting gap. The length of the cutting gap is at least identical orsubstantially identical, but may be, for example, greater than the widthof the web-shaped label material. Each contact of the cutting edgesduring the adjustment procedure or during the cutting procedure leads toincreased wear or to a deterioration in the blade elements. For examplewhere the label material is very thin, for example a material thicknessof 4/100 of a millimeter (0.25 mm) or less as is usual for, among otherthings, label materials for foil labels, the adjusting of the cuttinggap is extremely difficult and time-consuming, and may be carried out ina reliable manner exclusively by highly-qualified specialist personnel.

Some cutting devices comprise rotating cutting blades that interact withstationary counter blades for the production of form cuts in the edgesof moving strips of material, for example in the edges of strips ofpaper for the manufacture of envelopes or blanks, whereby theinteracting blades are made of materials with different hardnesses sothat the softer blade can be machined on the harder blade withoutdamaging the harder blade, and whereby at least one of the blades of theinteracting pair of blades is mounted so that it can come into contactwith its counter blade when the cutting device is in rotation.

For the softer blade, some cutting devices use an aluminum alloy, suchas a wrought aluminum alloy, for example. For the harder blade, somecutting devices use hardened steel. As a result of these measures, auseful life of at least 200,000 cuts between two adjustment processes isachieved.

Some cutting devices use suitable materials for self-sharpening cuttingdevices. For example, these cutting devices may use, for the softerblade, copper, brass or bronze.

Some cutting devices may use tungsten carbide, i.e. a ceramic material,for the harder blade.

Although some methods of using cutting devices may in fact achieve animprovement in the useful life of the blades or the number of cutsbetween two adjustment processes, a further increase in the number ofcuts would offer significant cost savings.

The present application may also related to a method for operating acutting device, for example a cutting device of a labeling machine. Thecutting device comprises at least one machine element that is driven soas to rotate about a machine axis and at least one first blade element,which forms a first cutting edge and is provided at the machine element.The first blade element may interact with a second cutting edge of atleast a second blade element and form a cutting gap when the machineelement is rotating. The forming of the cutting edge at the bladeelement of lesser hardness is effected by material removal using thecutting edge of that blade element that has the greater hardness atleast in the region of its cutting edge.

OBJECT OR OBJECTS

It is an object of the present application to provide a cutting devicewhich avoids, restricts, and/or minimizes the aforementioneddisadvantages, in one possible embodiment avoiding, restricting, orminimizing a time-consuming adjusting of the cutting gap.

An object of the present application is to create a cutting devicewhich, while preserving the advantageous self-resharpening of such adevice, significantly improves the wear strength and thus the usefullife of the blades used, and thus in turn the number of cuts that can beexecuted between two adjustment processes.

SUMMARY

This object is achieved by a cutting device, for example a cuttingdevice of a labeling machine. The cutting device comprises a machineelement that is driven in a rotating manner about a machine axis and atleast one first blade element that forms a first cutting edge and isprovided at the machine element. The first blade element, when themachine element is rotating, may interact with a second cutting edge ofat least a second blade element and also may form a cutting gap. Thefirst blade element or the second blade element, at least in the regionof its cutting edge, has a hardness that is greater than the hardness ofthe second blade element or of the first blade element. The cutting edgeat the blade element with the lesser hardness is created by materialremoval with the cutting edge of the blade element that is designed tobe harder at least at this cutting edge. The object may also be achievedby a method for operating a cutting device, for example a cutting deviceof a labeling machine. The cutting device comprises at least one machineelement that is driven so as to rotate about a machine axis and at leastone first blade element, which forms a first cutting edge and isprovided at the machine element. The first blade element interacts witha second cutting edge of at least a second blade element and forms acutting gap when the machine element is rotating. The forming of thecutting edge at the blade element of lesser hardness is effected bymaterial removal using the cutting edge of that blade element that hasthe greater hardness at least in the region of its cutting edge. Thisobject may also be achieved by a cutting device, for example a cuttingdevice of a labeling machine. The cutting device comprises a machineelement that is driven in a rotating manner about a machine axis and atleast one first blade element that forms a first cutting edge and isprovided at the machine element. The first blade element, when themachine element is rotating, interacts with a second cutting edge of atleast a second blade element and forms a cutting gap. The first bladeelement or the second blade element, at least in the region of itscutting edge, has a hardness that is greater than the hardness of thesecond blade element or of the first blade element. The cutting edge atthe blade element with the lesser hardness is created by materialremoval with the cutting edge of the blade element that is designed tobe harder at least at this cutting edge. The blade element with thelesser hardness is produced from a material, for example a metallicmaterial, e.g. aluminum or brass, which (material), on account of itslesser hardness, is machinable by the at least one cutting edge ofgreater hardness so as to remove material or provide a machine finish.The blade element and/or the blade element is coated in at leastportions of its surfaces with nano-particles and/or by carbon diffusionand/or the blade element is anodized.

A characteristic of the present application is not producing the twocutting edges that form the cutting gap from the same material, butselecting such a material pairing so that the two cutting edges havedifferent hardnesses and/or wear resistances. In this case, it ispossible that when one of the two cutting edges forming the respectivecutting gap is created or re-sharpened in an appropriate mannerprimarily by the other cutting edge through material removal so thatwhen the cutting device is setup, i.e. during a first commissioning orduring a recommissioning of the cutting device after operating elements,e.g. the blade elements, have been exchanged, a rough adjusting of theblade element one relative to the other, but no time-consuming, preciseor substantially precise aligning is necessary or may be desired.

The precise or substantially precise cutting gap is then created throughmaterial removal at the blade element with the lesser hardness by meansof the cutting edge of the blade element that has the greater hardnessat least in the region of its cutting edge.

Further developments, embodiments, and application possibilities of thepresent application proceed from the following description of possibleembodiments and from the Figures. In this case, described and/orgraphically represented features, on their own or in arbitrarycombination, are, in principle, objects of the present application.

The above-discussed embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed further herein below. When the word “invention” or “embodimentof the invention” is used in this specification, the word “invention” or“embodiment of the invention” includes “inventions” or “embodiments ofthe invention”, that is the plural of “invention” or “embodiment of theinvention”. By stating “invention” or “embodiment of the invention”, theApplicant does not in any way admit that the present application doesnot include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinctinvention, and maintains that this application may include more than onepatentably and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant herebyasserts that the disclosure of this application may include more thanone invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention,that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respectto the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present application is described below by way of the Figures ofpossible embodiments, in which, in detail:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation and top view of a machineelement that is driven in a rotating manner about a vertical orsubstantially vertical axis, said machine element having a first cuttingblade or blade element together with a second blade element of a cuttingdevice, for example a cutting device of a labeling machine, said secondblade element interacting with the machine element and not rotating withthe machine element;

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged representation of the two blade elements in aview as in FIG. 1, together with a part representation of the machineelement;

FIG. 3 shows a simplified representation of the side view of the cuttingdevice; and

FIG. 4 shows schematically the main components of one possibleembodiment example of a system for filling containers, for example, abeverage bottling plant for filling bottles.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS

The reference 1 in FIG. 1 is given to a cutting device for cutting astrip-shaped or web-shaped flat material 2, for example a label materialwith a maximum thickness of 4/100 of a millimeter (0.25 mm) or less,i.e. for the separating of individual labels from the material 2.

The cutting device 1 essentially comprises a machine element 4 that isdriven in a rotating manner about a vertical or substantially verticalmachine axis 3 in the direction of the arrow A, said machine elementhaving, for example, a peripheral surface or outer surface 4.1 thatsurrounds the vertical or substantially vertical machine axis 3 in acircular cylindrical manner and being provided, for example, so as to beexchangeable and adjustable on the peripheral surface or outer surface4.1 with at least one blade element 5, in such a manner that the bladeelement 5 forms a cutting edge 6 on a region protruding beyond the outersurface 4. In the case of the specific embodiment represented, thecutting edge 6 is formed on a planar side face 5.1 of the blade element5 leading in the direction of rotation A of the machine element 4 or ofthe part region of said blade element protruding beyond the outersurface 4.1, in such a manner that the cutting edge 6, with the machineelement 4 driven in a rotating manner, is moved on a circularcylindrical path that surrounds the vertical or substantially verticalmachine axis 3 in a concentric manner. In addition the cutting edge 6 isin one possible embodiment also oriented parallel or substantiallyparallel to the machine axis 3.

A blade element 7 acting as counter blade with cutting edge 8 isassociated with the blade element 5 or with its cutting edge 6. Theblade element 7 is provided on the cutting device 1, for example, so asnot to rotate with the machine element 4. The blade element is providedon a suitable holder 9 in such a manner that the blade 7 or its cuttingedge 8 is adjustable relative to said machine element (arrow B) in aradial or approximately radial manner relative to the rotating machineelement 4. For a first rough adjustment, the blade element 7 or itscutting edge 8 are also adjustable, for example, in such a manner thatthe blade element 7 or its cutting edge, which is already presentdirectly after installation into the cutting device 1, is oriented atleast approximately parallel or substantially parallel to the cuttingedge 6 when said cutting edge is situated directly at the cutting edge8.

A cutting gap 10 is formed between the cutting edges 6 and 8 in such amanner that during each cutting procedure, i.e. every time, with themachine element 4 rotating, the blade element 5 moves past the bladeelement 7, the cutting edges 6 and 8 just contact each other or do notquite contact each other over the entire length of the cutting gap 10extending in the direction of the machine axis.

The length of the cutting gap 10 is at least identical or substantiallyidentical, in one possible embodiment however is greater than the widthof the strip-shaped or web-shaped flat material 2. In this case, thestrip-shaped or web-shaped flat material 2 is moved through the gap 10in the direction of the arrow C and is, for example, oriented at leastin the region of the cutting gap 10 in a plane parallel or substantiallyparallel to the machine axis 3.

In order to obtain the necessary and/or desired cutting gap 10 without acumbersome adjustment or alignment of the blade elements 5 and 7 beingnecessary and/or desired, the blade element 5 is produced, at least atits cutting edge region that forms the cutting edge 6, with a greaterhardness, i.e. at that location it is produced, for example, fromhardened steel, e.g. tool steel, hard metal or ceramic, whereas theblade element 7 is produced from a material that is softer in comparisonto the cutting region of the blade element 5, for example from aluminumor brass. In another possible embodiment of the present application, theblade element 7 may comprise anodized aluminum on at least the surfaceof the blade element 7.

In the case of the first commissioning of the cutting device, forexample, and also after operating elements of the cutting device 1, e.g.one of the blade elements 5 and 7, have been exchanged, the roughadjusting of said blade elements is carried out initially and at thesame time, in one possible embodiment, also the adjusting of the bladeelement 7 in such a manner that the blade element 7 is oriented at leastapproximately parallel or substantially parallel to the blade element 5or to the cutting edge 6. Then, with the machine element 4 rotating orwith the blade element 5 rotating, an adjusting of the blade element 7is effected such that the cutting edge 8 is formed on the blade element7 by means of material removal with the cutting edge 6. The adjusting ofthe blade element 7 relative to the rotating machine element 4 in thedirection of the arrow B is terminated when the cutting edge 8, createdthrough material removal, extends over the entire length or thesubstantially entire length of the cutting gap 10 and the cutting gap 10is realized over its entire length or substantially entire length suchthat the cutting edge 6 and the cutting edge 8 formed by materialremoval, every time the blade element 5 moves past the blade element 7,just contact one another over the entire length of the cutting gap 10 orno longer just contact one another. The correct realization of thecutting edge 8 is monitored or ascertained by way of specimen cuts ofthe flat material 2, and the adjusting of the blade element 7 isterminated when the forming of the cutting edge 8, by means of thematerial removal created by the cutting edge 6, is completed, or whenthe cutting procedure to separate a label is effected in an error-freeand uniform manner over the entire width of the label.

During the operation of the cutting device 1 there is, for example, aslight manual re-adjusting or adjusting of the blade element 7 in thedirection of the arrow B in order to re-sharpen the cutting edge 8.

In at least one possible embodiment of the present application, theblade elements or cutting elements 5 and 7 may comprise rectangularshapes or substantially rectangular shapes. In such an embodiment, thecutting edges 6 and 8 may be formed at the intersection of twoperpendicular or substantially perpendicular sides, at a right angle ora generally right angle. During operation of the cutting device 1, thecutting element 5 and/or cutting edge 6, with the greater hardness, maysufficiently contact the cutting edge 8 and/or cutting element 7 and maysharpen and/or deform and/or machine the cutting edge 8 and/or thecutting element 7 as the cutting element 5 and/or cutting edge 6contacts the cutting element 7 and/or cutting edge 8. Upon the cuttingedge 8 and/or cutting element 7 being machined and/or deformed and/orsharpened, the shape of the cutting element 7 may no longer berectangular. The cutting edge 8 of the cutting element 7 may then beformed at the intersection of two transverse or substantially transversesides of the cutting element 7, at an obtuse angle or a generally obtuseangle.

An automatic slight readjusting or adjusting of the blade element 7 inthe direction of the arrow B is in one possible embodiment carried outin a time-controlled manner and/or in dependence on the number of stepscarried out, i.e. respectively after a predetermined number of cuttingprocedures, in order to “re-sharpen” the cutting edge 8 or its cuttingedge, i.e. to eliminate, restrict, and/or minimize the wearing down ofthe cutting edge 8 due to abrasion. The adjusting necessary and/ordesired for said re-sharpening of the blade element 7 and the materialremoval at the blade element 7 caused by this are so slight that thematerial accumulating does not impair the correct operating of thecutting device 1.

To form the cutting edge 8, the blade element 7 has, for example, aplanar face 7.1, for example, in a plane E, in which, when the bladeelement 5 moves past the blade element 7, the cutting edge 6 and/or thelateral face 5.1 of the blade element 5 are also disposed and whichextends transversely relative to the direction of movement of thecutting edge 6 when moving past the blade element 7, i.e. the plane Eextends in an approximately radial manner relative to the machine axis3.

The rotating machine element 4 is, for example, a blade shaft of thecutting device 1, for example, of a labeling machine or of a labelingunit. The rotating machine element 4, however, can also be anotherrotating operating element of a labeling machine, for example a labelingdrum that is driven in a rotating manner about the machine axis 3 (e.g.vacuum drum), on which the labels, separated from the strip-shaped orweb-shaped material or label material 2, are held before the transfer tothe packaging to be labeled, for example containers or bottles.

The present application has been described above by way of one possibleembodiment. It is obvious that numerous modifications and conversionsare possible without thereby departing from the teaching conceptunderlying the present application.

Thus, for example, it has been assumed above that the pairing of thematerials used for the blade elements 5 and 7 is selected such that theblade element 5, at least in the region of its cutting edge 6, has agreater hardness than the blade element 7. Obviously the materialpairing can also be selected in the reverse order, i.e. the bladeelement 7 can have, at least in the region of its cutting edge, agreater hardness than the blade element 5.

In addition, it has also been assumed above that the blade element 5 isprovided on the rotating machine element 4. Obviously embodiments areconceivable where a plurality of blade elements is provided on therotating machine element 4 offset about the axis 3 of said element, forexample on a rotating machine element realized in the form of a labelingdrum.

In addition it is possible to realize the cutting device 1 in such amanner that the blade element 7 is also provided on the periphery of arotating machine element 4 a on a machine element 4 a that rotates aboutan axis 3 a parallel or substantially parallel to the machine axis 3. Inone possible embodiment, the rotational movement of the blade element 7is matched to the rotational movement of the machine element 4. In thiscase or embodiment, the rotational movements can be both in the samedirection and also in opposing directions.

In another possible embodiment of the present application, the machineelement 4 a and the blade element 7 may be stationary or non-rotating.

In addition it is possible to treat and/or to coat the blade element 5and/or 7 at least in part regions on the surface, for example to coatthe blade element 5 with nano particles or to harden it by means ofcarbon diffusion at least in the region of its cutting edge 6 to improvethe abrasion resistance and/or to anodize the surfaces of the bladeelement 7.

In the case of the specific embodiment represented, the cutting edge 6of the blade element 5 is formed on a planar face 5.1 of said bladeelement that is leading when viewed in the direction of rotation of themachine element 4.

FIG. 4 shows schematically the main components of one possibleembodiment example of a system for filling containers, for example, abeverage bottling plant for filling bottles 130 with at least one liquidbeverage, in accordance with at least one possible embodiment, in whichsystem or plant could possibly be utilized at least one aspect, orseveral aspects, of the embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 shows a rinsing arrangement or rinsing station 101, to which thecontainers, namely bottles 130, are fed in the direction of travel asindicated by the arrow 131, by a first conveyer arrangement 103, whichcan be a linear conveyor or a combination of a linear conveyor and astarwheel. Downstream of the rinsing arrangement or rinsing station 101,in the direction of travel as indicated by the arrow 131, the rinsedbottles 130 are transported to a beverage filling machine 105 by asecond conveyer arrangement 104 that is formed, for example, by one ormore starwheels that introduce bottles 130 into the beverage fillingmachine 105.

The beverage filling machine 105 shown is of a revolving or rotarydesign, with a rotor 105′, which revolves around a central, verticalmachine axis. The rotor 105′ is designed to receive and hold the bottles130 for filling at a plurality of filling positions 113 located aboutthe periphery of the rotor 105′. At each of the filling positions 103 islocated a filling arrangement 114 having at least one filling device,element, apparatus, or valve. The filling arrangements 114 are designedto introduce a predetermined volume or amount of liquid beverage intothe interior of the bottles 130 to a predetermined or desired level.

The filling arrangements 114 receive the liquid beverage material from atoroidal or annular vessel 117, in which a supply of liquid beveragematerial is stored under pressure by a gas. The toroidal vessel 117 is acomponent, for example, of the revolving rotor 105′. The toroidal vessel117 can be connected by means of a rotary coupling or a coupling thatpermits rotation. The toroidal vessel 117 is also connected to at leastone external reservoir or supply of liquid beverage material by aconduit or supply line. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, there are twoexternal supply reservoirs 123 and 124, each of which is configured tostore either the same liquid beverage product or different products.These reservoirs 123, 124 are connected to the toroidal or annularvessel 117 by corresponding supply lines, conduits, or arrangements 121and 122. The external supply reservoirs 123, 124 could be in the form ofsimple storage tanks, or in the form of liquid beverage product mixers,in at least one possible embodiment.

As well as the more typical filling machines having one toroidal vessel,it is possible that in at least one possible embodiment there could be asecond toroidal or annular vessel which contains a second product. Inthis case, each filling arrangement 114 could be connected by separateconnections to each of the two toroidal vessels and have twoindividually-controllable fluid or control valves, so that in eachbottle 130, the first product or the second product can be filled bymeans of an appropriate control of the filling product or fluid valves.

Downstream of the beverage filling machine 105, in the direction oftravel of the bottles 130, there can be a beverage bottle closingarrangement or closing station 106 which closes or caps the bottles 130.The beverage bottle closing arrangement or closing station 106 can beconnected by a third conveyer arrangement 107 to a beverage bottlelabeling arrangement or labeling station 108. The third conveyorarrangement may be formed, for example, by a plurality of starwheels, ormay also include a linear conveyor device.

In the illustrated embodiment, the beverage bottle labeling arrangementor labeling station 108 has at least one labeling unit, device, ormodule, for applying labels to bottles 130. In the embodiment shown, thelabeling arrangement 108 is connected by a starwheel conveyer structureto three output conveyer arrangements: a first output conveyerarrangement 109, a second output conveyer arrangement 110, and a thirdoutput conveyer arrangement 111, all of which convey filled, closed, andlabeled bottles 130 to different locations.

The first output conveyer arrangement 109, in the embodiment shown, isdesigned to convey bottles 130 that are filled with a first type ofliquid beverage supplied by, for example, the supply reservoir 123. Thesecond output conveyer arrangement 110, in the embodiment shown, isdesigned to convey bottles 130 that are filled with a second type ofliquid beverage supplied by, for example, the supply reservoir 124. Thethird output conveyer arrangement 111, in the embodiment shown, isdesigned to convey incorrectly labeled bottles 130. To further explain,the labeling arrangement 108 can comprise at least one beverage bottleinspection or monitoring device that inspects or monitors the locationof labels on the bottles 130 to determine if the labels have beencorrectly placed or aligned on the bottles 130. The third outputconveyer arrangement 111 removes any bottles 130 which have beenincorrectly labeled as determined by the inspecting device.

The beverage bottling plant can be controlled by a central controlarrangement 112, which could be, for example, computerized controlsystem that monitors and controls the operation of the various stationsand mechanisms of the beverage bottling plant.

A cutting device, for example cutting device of a labeling device,comprising a machine element 4 driven to rotate about a machine axis 3and further comprising a first blade element 5 forming at least onefirst edge 6 and provided on the machine element 4, said blade elementinteracting with a second edge 8 of at least one second blade element 7when the machine element 4 is rotating to form a cutting gap 10,characterized in that the first blade element 5 or the second bladeelement 7 has a hardness at least in the region of the edge 6, 8 thereofthat is higher than the hardness of the second blade element 7 or of thefirst blade element 5, and that the edge 8 on the blade element 7 havinglower strength is produced by material removal with the edge 6 of theblade element 5 that is harder at least on said edge 6.

One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of thefiling of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in acutting device, for example a cutting device of a labeling machine, saidcutting device having a machine element 4 that is driven in a rotatingmanner about a machine axis 3 and at least one first blade element 5that forms a first cutting edge 6 and is provided at the machine element4, said first blade element, when the machine element 4 is rotating,interacting with a second cutting edge 8 of at least a second bladeelement 7 and forming a cutting gap 10, wherein the first blade element5 or the second blade element 7, at least in the region of its cuttingedge 6, 8, has a hardness that is greater than the hardness of thesecond blade element 7 or of the first blade element 5, and in that thecutting edge 8 at the blade element 7 with the lesser hardness iscreated by material removal with the cutting edge 6 of the blade element5 that is designed to be harder at least at this cutting edge 6.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in thecutting device, wherein the blade element 5 that is harder at least atits cutting edge is produced, at least in the region of the cuttingedge, from hardened steel, hard metal or ceramic.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe cutting device, wherein the blade element with the lesser hardnessis produced from a material, for example a metallic material, e.g.aluminum or brass, which, on account of its lesser hardness, ismachinable by the at least one cutting edge 6 of greater hardness so asto remove material or provide a machine finish.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe cutting device, wherein the at least one second blade element 7 isprovided on the cutting device 1 so as not to rotate with the machineelement 4, but so as to be adjustable relative to said machine element 4or to a circular path of the first blade element 5.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in thecutting device, wherein the at least one second blade element 7 isprovided at the periphery of another machine element 4 a, which isdriveable in a rotating manner about a machine axis 3 a in a mannercoordinated with the one machine element 4.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in thecutting device, wherein the other machine element 4 a is driveable so asto rotate in a contra-rotating manner or in a contra-rotating mannerrelative to the one machine element 4.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe cutting device, wherein the first blade element 5 and/or the secondblade element 7 are realized with a planar face 5.1, 7.1 that forms thecutting edge 6, 8, said face being oriented in a plane E, enclosing thecutting edge 6, 8, transversely relative to the movement of the firstblade element 5 when the machine element 4 is rotating.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe cutting device, comprising at least two first and/or second bladeelements 5, 7.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in thecutting device, wherein the cutting edge 6 of the at least one firstblade element 5 is oriented with its longitudinal extension in thedirection of the machine axis 3 of the one machine element 4 and, whenthe machine element is rotating, is moved on a circular cylinder surfaceenclosing said machine axis 3.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in thecutting device, wherein the first machine element 4 and/or the secondmachine element 4 a are a blade shaft or a drum-like operating element,for example a labeling drum or vacuum drum of a labeling machine.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in amethod for operating a cutting device, for example a cutting device of alabeling machine, said cutting device having at least one machineelement 4 that is driven so as to rotate about a machine axis 3 and atleast one first blade element 5, which forms a first cutting edge 6 andis provided at the machine element 4, said first blade elementinteracting with a second cutting edge 8 of at least a second bladeelement 7 and forming a cutting gap 10 when the machine element 4 isrotating, wherein the forming of the cutting edge 8 at the blade element7 of lesser hardness is effected by material removal using the cuttingedge 6 of that blade element 5 that has the greater hardness at least inthe region of its cutting edge 6.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe method, wherein in the case of a first commissioning and/or in thecase of a recommissioning of the cutting device 1, e.g. after a changeof at least one blade element 5, 7, the blade elements 5, 7, with thecutting device 1 switched on, are adjusted to one another until thesuitable cutting edge 8 has been formed through material removal bymeans of the cutting edge of greater hardness 6 at the blade element 7with the lesser hardness.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in themethod, wherein the blade element 7 with the lesser hardness is adjustedto the blade element 5 with the greater hardness at least in the regionof its cutting edge 6.

One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of thefiling of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in themethod, wherein the blade element 5 with the greater hardness at leastin the region of its cutting edge 6 is adjusted to the blade element 7with the lesser hardness.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in themethod, wherein for re-sharpening the cutting edge 8 at the at least oneblade element 7 of lesser hardness, an adjusting of the blade elements5, 7 one to the other is carried out during the operation of the cuttingdevice 1, for example in a time-controlled manner and/or in dependenceon the number of cutting procedures.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in acutting device, for example a cutting device of a labeling machine, saidcutting device having a machine element 4 that is driven in a rotatingmanner about a machine axis 3 and at least one first blade element 5that forms a first cutting edge 6 and is provided at the machine element4, said first blade element, when the machine element 4 is rotating,interacting with a second cutting edge 8 of at least a second bladeelement 7 and forming a cutting gap 10, whereby the first blade element5 or the second blade element 7, at least in the region of its cuttingedge 6, 8, has a hardness that is greater than the hardness of thesecond blade element 7 or of the first blade element 5, and in that thecutting edge 8 at the blade element 7 with the lesser hardness iscreated by material removal with the cutting edge 6 of the blade element5 that is designed to be harder at least at this cutting edge 6, wherebythe blade element with the lesser hardness is produced from a material,for example a metallic material, e.g. aluminum or brass, which(material), on account of its lesser hardness, is machinable by the atleast one cutting edge 6 of greater hardness so as to remove material orprovide a machine finish, wherein the blade element 5 and/or the bladeelement 7 is coated in at least portions of its surfaces withnano-particles and/or by carbon diffusion and/or the blade element 7 isanodized.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe cutting device, wherein the blade element 5 that is harder at leastat its cutting edge is produced, at least in the region of the cuttingedge, from hardened steel, hard metal or ceramic.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in thecutting device, wherein the at least one second blade element 7 isprovided on the cutting device 1 so as not to rotate with the machineelement 4, but so as to be adjustable relative to said machine element 4or to a circular path of the first blade element 5.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in thecutting device, wherein the at least one second blade element 7 isprovided at the periphery of another machine element 4 a, which isdriveable in a rotating manner about a machine axis 3 a in a mannercoordinated with the one machine element 4.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe cutting device, wherein the other machine element 4 a is driveableso as to rotate in a contra-rotating manner or in a contra-rotatingmanner relative to the one machine element 4.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe cutting device, wherein the first blade element 5 and/or the secondblade element 7 are realized with a planar face 5.1, 7.1 that forms thecutting edge 6, 8, said face being oriented in a plane E, enclosing thecutting edge 6, 8, transversely relative to the movement of the firstblade element 5 when the machine element 4 is rotating.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in thecutting device, comprising at least two first and/or second bladeelements 5, 7.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in thecutting device, wherein the cutting edge 6 of the at least one firstblade element 5 is oriented with its longitudinal extension in thedirection of the machine axis 3 of the one machine element 4 and, whenthe machine element is rotating, is moved on a circular cylinder surfaceenclosing said machine axis 3.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly inthe cutting device, wherein the first machine element 4 and/or thesecond machine element 4 a are a blade shaft or a drum-like operatingelement, for example a labeling drum or vacuum drum of a labelingmachine.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in acutting device, for example a cutting device of a labeling machine. Thecutting device having a machine element that is driven in a rotatingmanner about a machine axis and at least one first blade element thatforms a first cutting edge and is provided at the machine element. Thefirst blade element, when the machine element is rotating, interactswith a second cutting edge of at least a second blade element and formsa cutting gap. The first blade element or the second blade element, atleast in the region of its cutting edge, has a hardness that is greaterthan the hardness of the second blade element or of the first bladeelement. The cutting edge at the blade element with the lesser hardnessis created by material removal with the cutting edge of the bladeelement that is designed to be harder, and that the blade element withthe lesser hardness, on account of its lesser hardness, is machinable bythe at least one cutting edge of greater hardness so as to removematerial or provide a machine finish, wherein the blade element has, inthe area of its cutting edge a hardness which is greater than thehardness of the second blade element and whereby the second bladeelement is made of aluminum and is anodized on its surface.

The components disclosed in the various publications, disclosed orincorporated by reference herein, may possibly be used in possibleembodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof.

The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally toenable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determinequickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patentapplication. The description of the technical field is believed, at thetime of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describethe technical field of this patent application. However, the descriptionof the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims asoriginally filed in this patent application, as amended duringprosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in anypatent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statementsmade relating to the technical field are not intended to limit theclaims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting theclaims in any manner.

The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions,proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of the invention,are accurate and are hereby included by reference into thisspecification.

The background information is believed, at the time of the filing ofthis patent application, to adequately provide background informationfor this patent application. However, the background information may notbe completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in thispatent application, as amended during prosecution of this patentapplication, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from thispatent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to thebackground information are not intended to limit the claims in anymanner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in anymanner.

All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the variousembodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of theembodiments, if more than one embodiment is described herein.

The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is generallyto enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determinequickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patentapplication. The description of the object or objects is believed, atthe time of the filing of this patent application, to adequatelydescribe the object or objects of this patent application. However, thedescription of the object or objects may not be completely applicable tothe claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amendedduring prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowedin any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, anystatements made relating to the object or objects are not intended tolimit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limitingthe claims in any manner.

All of the patents, patent applications and publications recited herein,and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporated byreference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for theexceptions indicated herein.

The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patentapplication, to adequately summarize this patent application. However,portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not becompletely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patentapplication, as amended during prosecution of this patent application,and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patentapplication. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary arenot intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not beinterpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

It will be understood that the examples of patents, published patentapplications, and other documents which are included in this applicationand which are referred to in paragraphs which state “Some examples of .. . which may possibly be used in at least one possible embodiment ofthe present application . . . ” may possibly not be used or useable inany one or more embodiments of the application.

The sentence immediately above relates to patents, published patentapplications and other documents either incorporated by reference or notincorporated by reference.

All of the patents, patent applications or patent publications, exceptfor the exceptions indicated herein, which were cited in the GermanOffice Action dated Aug. 8, 2008, and/or cited elsewhere are herebyincorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein, asfollows: DE 26 28 728, having the German title “SCHNEIDVORRICHTUNG MITROTIERENDEN FLUEGELMESSERN ZUR HERSTELLUNG VON FORMSCHNITTEN IN DIERAENDER BEWEGTER WERKSTOFFBAHNEN,” published on Jan. 5, 1978; DE 26 41370, having the German title “GERAET ZUM VERNICHTEN VON MIKROFILMEN UNDDERGLEICHEN,” published on Mar. 23, 1978; DE 26 39 218, having theGerman title “SCHNEIDWERKZEUG FUER EINEN LAUFENDEN STREIFEN,” publishedon Mar. 31, 1977; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,054, having the title “Sheetcutting apparatus and method,” published on Aug. 29, 1995.

All of the patents, patent applications or patent publications, exceptfor the exceptions indicated herein, which were cited in theInternational Search Report dated Feb. 17, 2009, and/or cited elsewhereare hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entiretyherein, as follows: U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,816, having the title “Rotaryweb chopper,” published on Aug. 16, 1977; U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,289,having the title “Apparatus and method for applying labels using staticelectrical attraction,” published on Jul. 7, 1998; DE 297 19 348, havingthe German title “Falzapparat,” published on Jan. 22, 1998; DE 36 07907, having the following German title “Schneidwerkzeug,” published onAug. 13, 1987; and DE 10 2004 052682, having the following Englishtranslation of the German title “Industrial or laboratory mill hassickle-shaped self-cutting blades has core material encased within aharder case,” published on May 4, 2006.

Some examples of labeling machines which may possibly be utilized in atleast one possible embodiment may possibly be found in the followingU.S. Pat. No. 6,634,400, entitled “Labeling machine;” U.S. Pat. No.6,561,246, entitled “Labeling machine capable of precise attachment of alabel to different sizes of containers;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,512,entitled “Labeling machine capable of preventing erroneous attachment oflabels on containers;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,514, entitled “In-linecontinuous feed sleeve labeling machine and method;” U.S. Pat. No.6,378,587, entitled “Cylindrical container labeling machine;” U.S. Pat.No. 6,328,086, entitled “Labeling machine;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,021,entitled “Labeling machine;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,940, entitled “In-linecontinuous feed sleeve labeling machine and method;” U.S. Pat. No.6,199,614, entitled “High speed labeling machine having a constanttension driving system;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,935, entitled “Labelingmachine; U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,223, entitled “Labeling machine and method;U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,319, entitled “Non-round container labeling machineand method;” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,616, entitled “Adhesive station andlabeling machine.”

Some examples of blade cutting apparatus and methods that may possiblybe utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment maypossibly be found in the following U.S. Pat. No. applicationpublications: No. 2003/0146943 A1, entitled “Label Printer-Cutter withMutually Exclusive Printing and Cutting Operation”; U.S. Pat. No.5,614,278 entitled “Strip of Separable Labels or Tags Having a DisplaySurface for Display of Information Thereon”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,337,entitled “Real Time Labeler System”; No. 2004/0226659 A1, entitled“Label Application System”; and No. 2004/0226659 A1, entitled “LabelApplication System”.

Some examples of labeling apparatus and methods that may possibly beutilized or adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment maypossibly be found in the following U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,337, entitled“Real Time Labeler System”; No. 2004/0226659 A1, entitled “LabelApplication System”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,191,382 B1, entitled “Dynamic LaserCutting Apparatus”; No. 2003/0146943 A1, entitled “Label Printer-Cutterwith Mutually Exclusive Printing and Cutting Operation”; and No.2002/0029855 A1, entitled “System for Printing and Applying Tape ontoSurfaces”; U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,400, entitled “Labeling machine;” U.S.Pat. No. 6,561,246, entitled “Labeling machine capable of preciseattachment of a label to different sizes of containers;” U.S. Pat. No.6,550,512, entitled “Labeling machine capable of preventing erroneousattachment of labels on containers;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,587, entitled“Cylindrical container labeling machine;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,086,entitled “Labeling machine;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,021, entitled “Labelingmachine;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,614, entitled “High speed labeling machinehaving a constant tension driving system;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,935,entitled “Labeling machine; U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,223, entitled “Labelingmachine and method; U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,319, entitled “Non-roundcontainer labeling machine and method;” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,616,entitled “Adhesive station and labeling machine.”

Some examples of labels that may possibly be used with a possibleembodiment of the present invention may be found in the following U.S.Pat. No. 5,905,099; U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,415; and U.S. Pat. No.6,391,415.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/429,427, filed on Apr. 24, 2009,having inventors Lutz DECKERT and Oliver KRESS, Attorney Docket No.NHL-HOL-234, and title “A BEVERAGE BOTTLE OR CONTAINER LABELING DEVICEWITH A CUTTING UNIT AND CUTTING UNIT FOR A BEVERAGE BOTTLE OR CONTAINERLABELING DEVICE,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/352,627, filedon Jan. 13, 2009, having inventors Lutz DECKERT and Oliver KRESS,Attorney Docket No. NHL-HOL-205, and title “A LABELING MACHINE IN ABOTTLE OR CONTAINER FILLING PLANT HAVING A TRANSPORT ROLLER, SUCH AS ACUTTING OR SEVERING ROLLER; AND SUCH A ROLLER FOR LABELING EQUIPMENT ORA LABELING ARRANGEMENT, AS WELL AS LABELING EQUIPMENT OR A LABELINGARRANGEMENT,” are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth intheir entirety herein.

The following patents, patent application, and patent publications areincorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety except forthe exceptions indicated herein: U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,576, having thetitle “QUICK CHANGE ROLL-FED HIGH SPEED LABELING SYSTEM AND METHODS FORUSING SAME,” published on Apr. 26, 2005; EP 0990588, having the title“DEVICE FOR CUTTING FROM A WEB ELEMENTS FOR LAMINATING,” published onApr. 5, 2000; WO 2007/110199, having the following English translationof the German title “VACUUM DRUM AND LABELING MACHINE COMPRISING SUCH ADRUM, FOR ATTACHING WRAPAROUND LABELS TO BOTTLES OR THE LIKECONTAINERS,” published on Oct. 4, 2007; DE 1196058, having the followingEnglish translation of the German title “ADJUSTABLE ANVIL FOR CUTTINGWINDOW APERTURES AND LIKE OPENINGS IN BLANKS,” published on Jul. 1,1965; EP 1,279,604, having the title “CUTTING DEVICE FOR A LABELLINGMACHINE,” published on Jan. 29, 2003; U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,554, havingthe title “WEB SECTIONING APPARATUS INCLUDING AN INTERFERENCEINDICATOR,” published on Oct. 26, 1982; DE 10 2004 032030, having thefollowing English translation of the German title “MATERIAL CHANNELPRESSING AND SHAPING DEVICE, HAS PUNCHING AND IMPRESSION CYLINDERS WHOSEBEARINGS ARE ARRANGED ON BEVEL, WHERE DISTANCE BETWEEN PUNCHING ANDIMPRESSION CYLINDERS IS ADJUSTABLE BY MOVEMENT OF BEVEL,” published onJan. 19, 2006; GB 2,204,851, having the title “ARTICLE LABELLINGAPPARATUS,” published on Nov. 23, 1988; EP 0 025 332, having the title“LABELLING MACHINE AND METHOD, APPARATUS AND METHOD OF SEVERING FILM FORUSE THEREIN AND CONTAINER LABELLED THEREBY,” published on Mar. 18, 1981;U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,928, having the title “LABELLING MACHINE,” publishedon Dec. 31, 1985; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,316, having the title “CONTACTPRESSURE CONTROL METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ROTARY CUTTER,” published on Dec.12, 2000.

The patents, patent applications, and patent publications listed abovein the preceding paragraphs are herein incorporated by reference as ifset forth in their entirety except for the exceptions indicated herein.The purpose of incorporating U.S. patents, Foreign patents,publications, etc. is solely to provide additional information relatingto technical features of one or more embodiments, which information maynot be completely disclosed in the wording in the pages of thisapplication. However, words relating to the opinions and judgments ofthe author and not directly relating to the technical details of thedescription of the embodiments therein are not incorporated byreference. The words all, always, absolutely, consistently, preferably,guarantee, particularly, constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately,endlessly, avoid, exactly, continually, expediently, ideal, need, must,only, perpetual, precise, perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous,total, unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words substantially equivalentto the above-mentioned words in this sentence, when not used to describetechnical features of one or more embodiments of the patents, patentapplications, and patent publications, are not considered to beincorporated by reference herein.

The corresponding foreign and international patent publicationapplications, namely, Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No.10 2007 057 409.8, filed on Nov. 27, 2007, having inventors KlausKRAMER, Lutz DECKERT, and Oliver KRESS, and DE-OS 10 2007 057 409.8 andDE-PS 10 2007 057 409.8, and International Application No.PCT/EP2008/009757, filed on Nov. 18, 2008, having WIPO Publication No.WO 2009/068205 and inventors Klaus KRAMER, Lutz DECKERT, and OliverKRESS, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in theirentirety herein, except for the exceptions indicated herein, for thepurpose of correcting and explaining any possible misinterpretations ofthe English translation thereof. In addition, the published equivalentsof the above corresponding foreign and international patent publicationapplications, and other equivalents or corresponding applications, ifany, in corresponding cases in the Federal Republic of Germany andelsewhere, and the references and documents cited in any of thedocuments cited herein, such as the patents, patent applications andpublications, except for the exceptions indicated herein, are herebyincorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

The purpose of incorporating the corresponding foreign equivalent patentapplication(s), that is, PCT/EP2008/009757 and German Patent Application10 2007 057 409.8, is solely for the purpose of providing a basis ofcorrection of any wording in the pages of the present application, whichmay have been mistranslated or misinterpreted by the translator.However, words relating to opinions and judgments of the author and notdirectly relating to the technical details of the description of theembodiments therein are not to be incorporated by reference. The wordsall, always, absolutely, consistently, preferably, guarantee,particularly, constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately, endlessly,avoid, exactly, continually, expediently, ideal, need, must, only,perpetual, precise, perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous, total,unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words substantially equivalent to theabove-mentioned word in this sentence, when not used to describetechnical features of one or more embodiments of the patents, patentapplications, and patent publications, are not generally considered tobe incorporated by reference herein.

Statements made in the original foreign patent applicationsPCT/EP2008/009757 and DE 10 2007 057 409.8 from which this patentapplication claims priority which do not have to do with the correctionof the translation in this patent application are not to be included inthis patent application in the incorporation by reference.

Any statements about admissions of prior art in the original foreignpatent applications PCT/EP2008/009757 and DE 10 2007 057 409.8 are notto be included in this patent application in the incorporation byreference, since the laws relating to prior art in non-U.S. PatentOffices and courts may be substantially different from the Patent Lawsof the United States.

All of the references and documents cited in any of the documents citedherein, except for the exceptions indicated herein, are herebyincorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. Allof the documents cited herein, referred to in the immediately precedingsentence, include all of the patents, patent applications andpublications cited anywhere in the present application.

The description of the embodiment or embodiments is believed, at thetime of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describethe embodiment or embodiments of this patent application. However,portions of the description of the embodiment or embodiments may not becompletely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patentapplication, as amended during prosecution of this patent application,and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patentapplication. Therefore, any statements made relating to the embodimentor embodiments are not intended to limit the claims in any manner andshould not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The details in the patents, patent applications and publications may beconsidered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claimsduring prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentablydistinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.

The purpose of the title of this patent application is generally toenable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determinequickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patentapplication. The title is believed, at the time of the filing of thispatent application, to adequately reflect the general nature of thispatent application. However, the title may not be completely applicableto the technical field, the object or objects, the summary, thedescription of the embodiment or embodiments, and the claims asoriginally filed in this patent application, as amended duringprosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in anypatent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, the title is notintended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpretedas limiting the claims in any manner.

The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b):

-   -   A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the        specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably        following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the        Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent        and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine        quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the        technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for        interpreting the scope of the claims.        Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not        intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be        interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The embodiments of the invention described herein above in the contextof the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as limiting theembodiments of the invention to all of the provided details thereof,since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention.

AT LEAST PARTIAL NOMENCLATURE

-   1 Cutting device-   2 Strip-shaped or web-shaped flat material-   3, 3 a Machine axis-   4, 4 a Rotating machine element-   4.1 Periphery of the machine element 4-   5 Blade element-   5.1 Cutting face of the blade element 5-   6 Cutting edge of the blade element 5-   7 Blade element or counter blade-   7.1 Planar cutting face of the blade element 7-   8 Cutting edge of the blade element 5-   9 Holder-   10 Cutting gap

1. A beverage bottle filling plant for filling beverage bottles withliquid, said beverage bottle filling plant comprising: a beverage bottlefilling machine being configured and disposed to fill beverage bottleswith liquid; a first conveyor arrangement being configured and disposedto convey beverage bottles to be filled to said beverage bottle fillingmachine; said beverage bottle filling machine comprising: a rotor; arotatable vertical machine column; said rotor being connected to saidvertical machine column to permit rotation of said rotor about saidvertical machine column; a plurality of beverage bottle filling elementsfor filling beverage bottles with liquid being disposed on the peripheryof said rotor; each of said plurality of beverage bottle fillingelements comprising a beverage bottle carrier being configured anddisposed to receive and hold beverage bottles to be filled; each of saidplurality of beverage bottle filling elements being configured anddisposed to dispense liquid into beverage bottles to be filled; at leastone liquid reservoir being configured to hold a supply of liquid; atleast one supply line being configured and disposed to connect said atleast one liquid reservoir to said beverage bottle filling machine tosupply liquid to said beverage bottle filling machine; a first starwheel structure being configured and disposed to move beverage bottlesinto said beverage bottle filling machine; and a second star wheelstructure being configured and disposed to move beverage bottles out ofsaid beverage bottle filling machine; a beverage bottle closing machinebeing configured and disposed to close tops of filled beverage bottles;a second conveyor arrangement being configured and disposed to conveyfilled beverage bottles from said beverage bottle filling machine tosaid beverage bottle closing machine; said beverage bottle closingmachine comprising: a rotor; a rotatable vertical machine column; saidrotor being connected to said vertical machine column to permit rotationof said rotor about said vertical machine column; a plurality of closingdevices being disposed on the periphery of said rotor; each of saidplurality of closing devices being configured and disposed to placeclosures on filled beverage bottles; each of said plurality of closingdevices comprising a beverage bottle carrier being configured anddisposed to receive and hold filled beverage bottles; a first star wheelstructure being configured and disposed to move filled beverage bottlesinto said beverage bottle closing machine; and a second star wheelstructure being configured and disposed to move filled, closed beveragebottles out of said beverage bottle closing machine; a beverage bottlelabeling machine being configured and disposed to label filled, closedbeverage bottles; a third conveyor arrangement being configured anddisposed to convey filled, closed beverage bottles from said beveragebottle closing machine to said beverage bottle labeling machine; saidbeverage bottle labeling machine comprising: a rotor; a rotatablevertical machine column; said rotor being connected to said verticalmachine column to permit rotation of said rotor about said verticalmachine column; a plurality of beverage bottle support structures beingdisposed on the periphery of said rotor; said beverage bottle supportstructures being configured to support and hold filled, closed beveragebottles; a first star wheel structure being configured and disposed tomove filled, closed beverage bottles into said beverage bottle labelingmachine; a second star wheel structure being configured and disposed tomove labeled beverage bottles out of said beverage bottle labelingmachine; and at least one beverage bottle labeling roller beingconfigured and disposed to affix a label to the surface of a beveragebottle; and a cutting arrangement being configured and disposed to cutlabels from a supply of labeling material; said cutting arrangementcomprising: a cutting rotor being configured and disposed to rotateabout an axis; said cutting rotor comprising a first cutting element;said first cutting element being disposed about the periphery of saidcutting rotor and being configured to rotate with said cutting rotor;said first cutting element comprising a first side and a second side;said first side of said first cutting element being disposedsubstantially perpendicular to said second side of said first cuttingelement; said first side and said second side intersecting and forming acutting edge of said first cutting element; a stationary elementcomprising a stationary second cutting element being fixedly mounted tosaid stationary element; said second cutting element being configuredand disposed to be adjustable toward said first cutting element andpermit said first cutting element to sharpen said second cuttingelement; said second cutting element comprising a first side and asecond side; said first side of said second cutting element beingdisposed substantially transverse to said second side of said secondcutting element; said first side and said second side intersecting andforming a cutting edge of said second cutting element; said cutting edgeof said second cutting element being generally a right angle or anobtuse angle; said cutting edge of said second cutting element beingconfigured and disposed to come into contact with said first cuttingelement to cut labels therebetween from a supply of labeling material;upon said first cutting element rotating past said second cuttingelement, said cutting edge of said at least one first blade element andsaid cutting edge of said at least one second blade element beingdisposed to form a cutting gap or no gap upon said first cutting elementcontacting said second cutting element, between said cutting edge ofsaid at least one first blade element and said cutting edge of said atleast one second blade element, which cutting gap or no gap isconfigured to sufficiently cut labels therebetween from a supply oflabeling material; said first cutting element being configured to removematerial from said second cutting element upon said first cuttingelement contacting said second cutting element upon adjustment of saidsecond cutting element; said cutting edge of said first cutting elementcomprising a first material, such as tool steel, hard metal, or ceramic;said cutting edge of said second cutting element comprising anodizedaluminum; said first material being harder than said anodized aluminum;and said cutting edge of said second cutting element being configured tobe deformable by said cutting edge of said first cutting element, uponsaid cutting edge of said first cutting element contacting said cuttingedge of said second cutting element.
 2. The beverage bottle fillingplant according to claim 1, wherein the blade element (5) that is harderat least at its cutting edge is produced, at least in the region of thecutting edge, from hardened steel, hard metal or ceramic.
 3. Thebeverage bottle filling plant according to claim 2, wherein the at leastone second blade element (7) is provided on the cutting device (1) so asnot to rotate with the machine element (4), but so as to be adjustablerelative to said machine element (4) or to a circular path of the firstblade element (5).
 4. The beverage bottle filling plant according toclaim 3, wherein the at least one second blade element (7) is providedat the periphery of another machine element (4 a), which is driveable ina rotating manner about a machine axis (3 a) in a manner coordinatedwith the one machine element (4).
 5. The beverage bottle filling plantaccording to claim 4, wherein the other machine element (4 a) isdriveable so as to rotate in a contra-rotating manner or in acontra-rotating manner relative to the one machine element (4).
 6. Thebeverage bottle filling plant according to claim 5, wherein the firstblade element (5) and/or the second blade element (7) are realized witha planar face (5.1, 7.1) that forms the cutting edge (6, 8), said facebeing oriented in a plane (E), enclosing the cutting edge (6, 8),transversely relative to the movement of the first blade element (5)when the machine element (4) is rotating.
 7. The beverage bottle fillingplant according to claim 6, wherein said cutting arrangement comprisesat least two first and/or second blade elements (5, 7).
 8. The beveragebottle filling plant according to claim 7, wherein the cutting edge (6)of the at least one first blade element (5) is oriented with itslongitudinal extension in the direction of the machine axis (3) of theone machine element (4) and, when the machine element is rotating, ismoved on a circular cylinder surface enclosing said machine axis (3). 9.The beverage bottle filling plant according to claim 8, wherein thefirst machine element (4) and/or the second machine element (4 a) are ablade shaft or a drum-like operating element, for example a labelingdrum or vacuum drum of a labeling machine.
 10. Cutting device, forexample a cutting device of a labeling machine, said cutting devicehaving a machine element (4) that is driven in a rotating manner about amachine axis (3) and at least one first blade element (5) that forms afirst cutting edge (6) and is provided at the machine element (4), saidfirst blade element, when the machine element (4) is rotating,interacting with a second cutting edge (8) of at least a second bladeelement (7) and forming a cutting gap (10), whereby the first bladeelement (5) or the second blade element (7), at least in the region ofits cutting edge (6, 8), has a hardness that is greater than thehardness of the second blade element (7) or of the first blade element(5), and in that the cutting edge at the blade element with the lesserhardness is created by material removal with the cutting edge (6) of theblade element (5) that is designed to be harder and that the bladeelement with the lesser hardness, on account of its lesser hardness, ismachinable by the at least one cutting edge of greater hardness so as toremove material or provide a machine finish, characterized in that theblade element (5) has, in the area of its cutting edge (6) a hardnesswhich is greater than the hardness of the second blade element (7) andwhereby the second blade element (7) is made of aluminum and is anodizedon its surface.
 11. Cutting device according to claim 10, characterizedin that the blade element (5) that is harder at least at its cuttingedge is produced, at least in the region of the cutting edge, fromhardened steel, hard metal or ceramic.
 12. Cutting device according toclaim 11, characterized in that the at least one second blade element(7) is provided on the cutting device (1) so as not to rotate with themachine element (4), but so as to be adjustable relative to said machineelement (4) or to a circular path of the first blade element (5). 13.Cutting device according to claim 12, characterized in that the at leastone second blade element (7) is provided at the periphery of anothermachine element (4 a), which is driveable in a rotating manner about amachine axis (3 a) in a manner coordinated with the one machine element(4).
 14. Cutting device according to claim 13, characterized in that theother machine element (4 a) is driveable so as to rotate in acontra-rotating manner or in a contra-rotating manner relative to theone machine element (4).
 15. Cutting device according to claim 14,characterized in that the first blade element (5) and/or the secondblade element (7) are realized with a planar face (5.1, 7.1) that formsthe cutting edge (6, 8), said face being oriented in a plane (E),enclosing the cutting edge (6, 8), transversely relative to the movementof the first blade element (5) when the machine element (4) is rotating.16. Cutting device according to claim 15, characterized by at least twofirst and/or second blade elements (5, 7).
 17. Cutting device accordingto claim 16, characterized in that the cutting edge (6) of the at leastone first blade element (5) is oriented with its longitudinal extensionin the direction of the machine axis (3) of the one machine element (4)and, when the machine element is rotating, is moved on a circularcylinder surface enclosing said machine axis (3).
 18. Cutting deviceaccording to claim 17, characterized in that the first machine element(4) and/or the second machine element (4 a) are a blade shaft or adrum-like operating element, for example a labeling drum or vacuum drumof a labeling machine.